Official: Hale Academy to close at end of school year

After 12 years, Hale Academy is closing its doors at the end of the year.

Doug Engle/Star-Banner

By Vishal PersaudStaff writer

Published: Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at 2:58 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at 2:58 p.m.

Hale Academy will be closing at the end of the school year because of financial difficulties, the acting head of school said Tuesday.

Kim Heitmuller, the acting head of school, said she became aware of the closing in a letter the school's board of trustees released Monday. Board officials indicated a lack of growth and a tough economic climate in Marion County led to their decision to shutter the school, Heitmuller said.

"It was getting harder and harder to keep the school afloat," she said.

The board also told staff and students that they were hoping for some corporate sponsors or financial support to keep the school growing and successful, but were unable to obtain that funding.

The private non-denominational school has been in existence since 2000 and serves 110 students in grades Pre-K3 to 12.

Parents and students were shocked and devastated by the sudden news.

"We just don't want the school to close at all, it's breaking our hearts," said Jody Hankinson, whose 8-year-old daughter, Grace, is a third-grader at the school.

Hankinson and other parents received the news when a letter was sent home with students on Monday.

"I think it's terrible that it's closing," said Grace, who said she will miss her teachers and friends come next year.

Hankinson said she was concerned that Hale's unique curriculum might not be available anywhere else in town. She said Grace has been taught Spanish since she was in kindergarten and is now learning a version of pre-algebra in third grade.

<p>Hale Academy will be closing at the end of the school year because of financial difficulties, the acting head of school said Tuesday.</p><p>Kim Heitmuller, the acting head of school, said she became aware of the closing in a letter the school's board of trustees released Monday. Board officials indicated a lack of growth and a tough economic climate in Marion County led to their decision to shutter the school, Heitmuller said.</p><p>"It was getting harder and harder to keep the school afloat," she said.</p><p>The board also told staff and students that they were hoping for some corporate sponsors or financial support to keep the school growing and successful, but were unable to obtain that funding.</p><p>The private non-denominational school has been in existence since 2000 and serves 110 students in grades Pre-K3 to 12.</p><p>Parents and students were shocked and devastated by the sudden news.</p><p>"We just don't want the school to close at all, it's breaking our hearts," said Jody Hankinson, whose 8-year-old daughter, Grace, is a third-grader at the school.</p><p>Hankinson and other parents received the news when a letter was sent home with students on Monday.</p><p>"I think it's terrible that it's closing," said Grace, who said she will miss her teachers and friends come next year.</p><p>Hankinson said she was concerned that Hale's unique curriculum might not be available anywhere else in town. She said Grace has been taught Spanish since she was in kindergarten and is now learning a version of pre-algebra in third grade.</p><p>"I'm really sad because I doubt anyone else is teaching foreign languages to third-graders," Hankinson said.</p><p>Another option may be available for parents like Hankinson, who said The Cornerstone School stated in a letter that the school may be able to partner up and work with students from Hale.</p><p>Heitmuller said she would also be available to support students as they look to transition to different schools at the end of the school year.</p><p>In the meantime, parents like Hankinson said they are going to look at other school options, both private and public, but they wish that wasn't the case.</p><p>"We love this school. We wish that they could find a way to keep it going," Hankinson said. "I'd rather not have to find a new school, just keep her here."</p><p><i>Contact Vishal Persaud at 867-4065, vishal.persaud@starbanner.com or on Twitter @vishalpersaud.</i></p>